Vancouver Canucks
Rink: Rogers Arena
Capacity: 18,910
Built: 1995
League: NHL
City: Vancouver, British Columbia
Home Of: Vancouver Canucks
Games Attended: 1
Only Game: February 4, 2025 vs Colorado
Unique Arena: #108
NHL Arena: #15
Rogers Arena sits in the heart of downtown Vancouver, nestled between a pair of elevated expressways and a stone’s throw from the much larger BC Place stadium next door. Surrounded by condos, it really feels like you’re in Toronto… but way nicer. Unlike Toronto, or many other rinks for that matter, there are entrances to the rink at the 300 level, with more entrances further down at the 100 level. There isn’t a ton of room on any side of the rink’s exterior, however, for socializing or watch parties like you see at some rinks. While there are many bars and restaurants close by, they are all a couple blocks away. Though there is a Costco mere steps from the rink, so if you like $1.50 hot dogs there’s no need to walk far!
Rogers Arena in Vancouver was built early on in the 90s NHL building boom and is now 30 years old. Believe it or not, the Canucks have played here longer than they did in their original home at the Pacific Coliseum in the city’s east end. While the age means the building isn’t the most glamorous and it’s a tad basic, it still checks most of the boxes for what fans could want and/or need in an NHL rink. It’s a basic two bowl set up (again like in Toronto) with a level of suites in between, along with another level of suites at the top of the building. The roof has Buffalo levels of height to it but the building doesn’t feel nearly as cavernous, thanks to the extra level of suites above the upper bowl.
One odd quirk about Vancouver which I found to be its biggest flaw is it can be a bit difficult to get around. The concourse is a tad on the cramped side, especially in the upper bowl. But even worse is you cannot walk 360 degrees around the lower bowl, as the club seat section of the concourse appears to be totally cut off to non-club seat ticket holders. Also, I found very few stairways that would take you from the lower bowl to the upper bowl. The one I found seemed tucked away in a corner of the concourse. I assume this was done seeing as there are separate building entrances for the upper bowl level, but it makes getting around a bit tougher than needed.
I want to finish this review however with many positives, the biggest being the atmosphere. Outside of Montreal, Vancouver easily has the best in rink atmosphere I’ve come across in the NHL in Canada. I know Jets fans can get crazy, but I seemed to get them on an off night. My game in Vancouver had the crowd right into the game from beginning to end and it was such a nice thing to see. Also, of note the A/V production in Vancouver is top notch as well.
I wasn’t expecting Vancouver to be a particularly noteworthy experience, but I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed it and if I ever find myself back in the Vancouver area I would love to go again.
